Santa Maria delle Grazie Tower
| Santa Maria delle Grazie Tower | |
|---|---|
| Part of the Wignacourt towers | |
| Xgħajra, Malta | |
|
Heraldic representation of the tower on the flag of Xgħajra | |
| Coordinates | 35°53′11.2″N 14°32′59″E / 35.886444°N 14.54972°E |
| Type | Coastal watchtower |
| Site history | |
| Built | 1620 |
| Built by | Order of Saint John |
| Materials | Limestone |
| Fate | Demolished, c.1888 |
Santa Maria delle Grazie Tower, also known as Blata Bajda Tower, was a watchtower in what is now Xgħajra, Malta. It was built in 1620, and was the last of six Wignacourt towers to be built. The tower was demolished in the late 19th century by the British military.
History
Santa Maria delle Grazie Tower was built in 1620 above the shore to the east of Grand Harbour, close to the present day town of Xgħajra. The cost of building it totaled to 4948 scudi which was less than the cost of the other Wignacourt towers, and therefore it was probably smaller than the others. It was the last of the Wignacourt towers to be built.[1]
The tower was demolished to clear the field of fire of the nearby Della Grazie Battery, construction of which began in 1888, by the British. Nothing of the original tower remains. A street in Xgħajra is named after the tower - Triq it-Torri ta' Alof de Wignacourt (Alof de Wignacourt Tower Street). A heraldic representation of the tower is now featured on the flag and coat of arms of Xgħajra.
References
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Santa Maria delle Grazie Tower. |
- ↑ "Santa Maria delle Grazie Tower". Malta Military. Retrieved 31 August 2014.
| |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
